Vacuum tool for vacuum cleaner

ABSTRACT

A flexible vacuum hose is coupled to a vacuum tool. The vacuum tool defines an elongated closed housing formed of mirror-image half portions. An elongated aperture passes through the tool housing to form a carrying handle in the upper portion of the housing. The housing further includes a closed end opposite the flexible hose coupler. A generally planar bottom plate is secured to the bottom edge of the housing to form an interior cavity within the housing. The bottom plate defines a plurality of small diameter apertures arranged in a generally uniform pattern upon the bottom plate. Air is drawn out from the interior cavity by the vacuum source producing a diffuse generally uniform vacuum air flow upwardly through the apertures in the bottom plate.

SPECIFICATION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This application relates generally to vacuum cleaners andparticularly to vacuum tool used therewith for cleaning areas such ascarpeted stairs.

[0003] 2. Background of the Invention

[0004] Vacuum cleaners are well known in the art and have become a basicstaple in cleaning equipment. While the basic electric powered vacuumcleaning device has been provided in a virtually endless variety ofconfigurations and designs, for the most part, vacuum cleaners areprovided as either upright, canister, or centralized vacuum systems.Despite this substantial variety of structure and design, all vacuumcleaners include basically the same apparatus. A vacuum fan or suctiondevice is driven at a high rate of speed by an electric motor and driveapparatus. The drive apparatus often comprises a flexible drive belt. Avacuum tool, often referred to as a vacuum head, is coupled to thesuction side of the vacuum fan. As the fan is driven, air is drawn intothe vacuum tool at a sufficient velocity to carry dirt or other materialinto the vacuum cleaner. A filter and separator is provided within thevacuum unit which is operative upon the stream of moving air and dirt orother material to separate the dirt and other air born material from theair flow. This allows the air flow to be vented outwardly from thevacuum cleaner. The separated dirt or other vacuumed material isaccumulated within a designated portion of the vacuum cleaner. In manyvacuum cleaners, the dirt accumulator takes the form of a replacablethrow-away cartridge or bag.

[0005] One common variant of the vacuum cleaner is provided by anelongated hollow flexible hose which may be operatively coupled at oneend to the vacuum source of the vacuum cleaner. The remaining end isconfigured to operatively couple to a vacuum tool head or other type ofvacuum tool. For the most part, the purpose of this variant is to aidthe operator in reaching areas of the to-be-cleaned environment whichare difficult to access with the entire vacuuming apparatus.

[0006] In a typical home or other building environment, one of the mostchallenging portions of the environment to be vacuumed is found incarpeted stairs. The multiple levels and small portions of surface areafound in a typical carpeted stair renders the use of conventionalvacuums such as upright vacuums to be nearly impossible. As a result,conventional vacuuming cleaning of carpeted stairs or the like iscarried forward by the above described flexible hoses and tool heads.However, the use of such tools on carpeted stairs have proven to bedifficult and inefficient. The type of vacuum tool provided bypractitioners in the art utilizes a relatively small generally wedgedshaped housing defining an interior cavity and a long narrow vacuumslot. The housing is coupled to the end of the vacuum hose. The basicproblem arising in such vacuum tools is found in the tendency for thevacuum suction to draw or force the tool head against the carpet surfaceduring the vacuum process. This suction force increases the resistanceor drag encountered by the user as the head is moved across the carpetedstair surface. This problem has proven difficult to overcome in thatvacuum cleaner manufacturers realize the need for substantial vacuum airflow for efficient pick-up of dirt and other material while alsorealizing that the resulting resistance or drag unduly tires the user.Faced with this basic problem, practitioners in the art have attemptedto employ various mechanisms which allow the vacuum air flow, or atleast a portion of it, to move through the vacuum tool during contactwith the carpet surface. This is typically accomplished by forming aplurality of ribs or teeth along the slot portion of the tool orproviding other bypass vents within the vacuum system. While bypassing aportion of the vacuum air flow does reduce the drag induced by thevacuum suction, it to some extent reduces the material carrying capacityand capability of the vacuum tool. For the most part, this compromise ofcompeting characteristics of the conventional vacuum tool has remainedthe best solution heretofore available.

[0007] There remains therefore a continuing need in the art for evermore improved, efficient and easy to use vacuum cleaning tools. Inparticular, there remains a continuing need in the art for a vacuum toolwhich effectively and efficiently vacuums carpeted surfaces such asstairs or the like without inducing undue fatigue and effort for theuser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention toprovide and improved vacuum tool. It is a more particular object of thepresent invention to provide an improved vacuum tool for use in a vacuumcleaner which is efficient and effective in cleaning carpeted stairs orthe like. It is a still more particular object of the present inventionto provide an improved vacuum tool which effectively and efficientlycarries dirt or other material from the vacuumed surface whilemaintaining relative ease of movement across the surface.

[0009] In accordance with the present invention there is provided

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The features of the present invention, which are believed to benovel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Theinvention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, maybest be understood by reference to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures ofwhich like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 sets forth a perspective view of a vacuum tool constructedin accordance with the present invention showing the users hand inphantom line depiction;

[0012]FIG. 2 sets forth a top plan view of the present invention vacuumtool;

[0013]FIG. 3 sets forth a left side view of the present invention vacuumtool;

[0014]FIG. 4 sets forth a section view of the present invention vacuumtool taken along section lines 4-4 in FIG. 3;

[0015]FIG. 5 sets forth a bottom view of the present invention vacuumtool.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016]FIG. 1 sets forth a perspective view of a vacuum tool attachmentconstructed in accordance with the present invention and generallyreferenced by numeral 10. Vacuum tool 10 is preferably fabricated of amolded plastic material and includes an elongated hollow housing 11formed of mirror-image half portions 12 and 13. Half portions 12 and 13are joined along a common seam 14 by conventional attachment methodssuch as adhesive attachment, sonic or chemical welding or other methodsof attachments. Alternatively, housing 11 may fabricated as a singlemolded or blow molded component should the need for such one piecefabrication arise. Housing 11 further defines a closed end 18, a surface19 and an elongated aperture 16. Aperture 16 extends entirely throughhalf portions 12 and 13 which are commonly joined within elongatedaperture 16 by a common seam 24. The position of elongated aperture 16with respect to housing 11 forms a convenient handle portion 15extending above and across elongated aperture 16. A generallycylindrical coupler 21 is formed in half portions 12 and 13 and extendsrearwardly from housing 11. Coupler 21 facilitates attachment of avacuum hose fitting 23 which in turn is secured to a flexible vacuumhose 22. Hose 22 and fitting 23 may be fabricated in accordance withconventional fabrication techniques and will be understood to be coupledto a conventional vacuum cleaner apparatus (not shown) which maycomprise virtually any vacuum cleaner source or type.

[0017] Vacuum tool 10 further includes a generally planar generallyrectangular bottom plate 17 joined to the lower edge of housing 11 toform a seam 20. The attachment of bottom plate 17 to the lower edge ofhousing 11 is carried forward using virtually any convenient fabricationtechniques such as adhesive attachment, chemical or sonic welding, orthe like. The essential function of attachment between bottom plate 17and housing 11 as well as the attachment between half portions 12 and 13of housing 11 is the creation of a substantially air-tight sealed seamin which the sole path for air to enter or exit housing 11 is found incoupler 21 and apertures 40 (seen in FIG. 5) formed in bottom plate 17as set forth therein.

[0018] In operation and with vacuum hose 22 coupled to a source ofvacuum, air is drawn upwardly into the interior of housing 11 in themanner set forth below in FIG. 4 and is carried outwardly from vacuumhose 22 via coupler 21 and fitting 23. Of importance to note in FIG. 1is the convenient shape found in vacuum tool 10. As shown in phantomline depiction of a users pair of hands, the placement of handle 15,aperture 16 and surface 19 facilitates a convenient two handed grasp ofvacuum tool 10. This in turn allows excellent control and manipulationof vacuum tool 10 during operation upon a typical carpeted stair orother surface. In addition, the fabrication of handle 15 and thegenerally flat character of bottom plate 17 allows the user to employ aone handed grasp of handle 15 to guide and manipulate vacuum tool 10 asdesired. Accordingly, vacuum tool 10 will be seen to be readily capableof both one handed and two handed operation which in both operations ischaracterized by the users ability to grip the vacuum tool directly.This is a substantial advantage over most prior art systems whichrequire some gripping of the vacuum hose or vacuum hose coupling tomanipulate the tool. In addition, and as will be seen below in greaterdetail, the generally rectangular bottom shape with slightly angledclosed end 18 (better seen in FIG. 2) greatly facilitates both front toback and side to side cleaning motions of the present invention vacuumtool. In accordance with an important aspect of the present inventiondescribed below in greater detail, the placement of a plurality ofapertures 40 (seen in FIG. 5) which are generally distributed upon theentire undersurface of bottom plate 17 provides substantially improvedagitation of the carpet surface being cleaned in response to motion ofthe present invention vacuum tool. In addition, the large common housingwith which all of the apertures are in communication (seen in FIG. 4) asinterior cavity 30 provides a substantially uniform vacuum draw for allbottom plate apertures. As a result, the cleaning efficiency of thevacuum tool 10 is greatly improved over the prior art devices.

[0019]FIG. 2 sets forth a top view of vacuum tool 10 which, as describedabove, includes a housing 11 formed of mirror-image half portions 12 and13. Half portions 12 and 13 are joined along a common seam 14 and acommon seam 24 (seen in FIG. 1). Housing 11 defines an elongatedaperture 16 extending through housing 11 and forming a bridging handle15 in the upper portion of the housing. Housing 11 further defines avacuum hose coupler 21 having a generally cylindrical shape and agenerally flat upper surface 19. Housing 11 further defines an angledend 18 which forms a closed end for the cavity within housing 11 andwhich includes oppositely angled generally mirror-image and surfaces.The use of angled surfaces in closed end 18 facilitates the cleaningwithin difficult to reach corner portions and the like. A generallyplanar bottom plate 17 better seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 is secured to thebottom edge of housing 11 in a sealed attachment.

[0020]FIG. 3 sets forth a left side view of vacuum tool 10 which, asdescribed above, includes a housing 11 formed of mirror-image halfportions 12 and 13. Half portions 12 and 13 are joined along a commonseam 14. Half portions 12 and 13 are mutually joined along seam 14 andare further joined to a bottom plate 17 at a seam 20. Housing 11 furtherdefines a handle 15 described above. An interior cavity 30 is formedwithin the interior of housing 11. The substantial size of interiorcavity 30 promotes the uniform airflow through cleaning apertures 40(seen in FIGS. 4 and 5) which, as described below in greater detail,substantially improve cleaning and material agitation.

[0021]FIG. 4 sets forth a section view of vacuum tool 10 taken alongsection lines 4-4 in FIG. 3. Vacuum tool 10 includes a housing 11 havinga half portion 13 and a mirror-image half portion 12 (seen in FIG. 1).It will be understood that half portions 12 and 13 are mirror images ofeach other joined along a common seam. Accordingly, the descriptions setforth in FIG. 4 will be understood to apply equally well to halfportions 13 and the completed combination thereof comprising housing 11(seen in FIG. 1).

[0022] As described above, housing 11 includes a handle 15 formed abovean elongated aperture 16 together with a surface 19. A closed end 18(better seen in FIG. 2) is formed at the forward end of housing 11 whilea generally cylindrically vacuum coupler 21 is formed at the oppositeend thereof. A generally planar bottom plate 17 is joined to the bottomedge of housing 11 to complete the enclosure of interior cavity 30. Aplurality of vacuum apertures 40 are formed in bottom plate 17 in themanner better seen in FIG. 5. In accordance with an important aspect ofthe present invention, the use of a substantial number of apertures 40distributed generally uniformly throughout bottom plate 17 together withthe large volume of interior cavity 30 cooperate to provide asubstantially uniform airflow upwardly through apertures 40 in themanner indicated by arrows 42. Thus, as the attached vacuum joined tocoupler 21 (in the manner shown in FIG. 1) draws air outwardly throughcoupler 21 from interior cavity 30 in the direction indicated by arrow41, air is draw upwardly through apertures 40 in the manner shown byarrows 42. Because the volume of interior cavity 30 is very largerelative to the apertures formed in bottom plate 17 and coupler 21, adiffusing of air flow takes place as air is drawn outwardly frominterior cavity 30. This diffused air flow through the substantialnumber of apertures 40 provides improved agitation of carpet fibermaterial and a generally uniform vacuum draw to carry away dirt andother particulate material on the vacuumed carpet. Because of thesubstantial number of small apertures formed in bottom plate 17, theaction of vacuum air draw into interior cavity 30 does not result in thedisproportionate increase in friction or resistance which is encounteredin prior art devices utilizing elongated slot apertures. Thedistribution of apertures in bottom plate 17 is formed to providesignificant bearing surface between the vacuum apertures to avoid theincreased resistance encountered in prior art devices.

[0023] Thus, in accordance with an important aspect of the presentinvention, the carpet fiber materials in the stair carpeting or othercarpeting being vacuumed using tool 10 are substantially agitation asthe user moves tool 10 across the surface. In addition, the entirevacuum air flow exiting interior cavity 30 of tool 10 through coupler 21is used in vacuuming action. Unlike venting or comb structures used inprior art devices to relieve undo resistance of tool movement, thewidely distributed small diameter large number of apertures used onbottom plate 17 of tool 10 employ the entire air flow in the materialvacuuming process. As a result, no vacuum air is wasted and all vacuumair is drawn upwardly carrying particulate matter such as dirt or thelike.

[0024]FIG. 5 sets forth a bottom view of vacuum tool 10 whichfacilitates examination of the distribution of vacuum apertures 40. Asdescribed above, vacuum tool 10 includes a bottom plate 17 having aplurality of apertures 40 formed therein. Coupler 21 also formed inhousing 11 and described above, extends beyond bottom plate 17. Inaccordance with an important aspect of the present invention, vacuumapertures 40 and numerous and relatively small diameter which allow thevacuum apertures to be generally uniformly distributed throughout thebottom surface of bottom plate 17. As a result, substantial bearing areabetween apertures is provided while a great amount of vacuum air intotal may be drawn through the plurality of vacuum apertures 40. As aresult, the resistance to movement of vacuum tool 10 is substantiallyreduced while the proportionate part of vacuum air flow employed inparticulate removal is maximized. Virtually no vacuum air flow is wastedin the present invention tool. In the preferred fabrication of thepresent invention, apertures 40 are uniformly distributed throughout thesurface of bottom plate 17. In a further preference, the offset spacingof alternate rows of apertures 40 is believed to add further uniformityof air flow into the interior of vacuum tool 10 while providingsubstantially improved agitation of carpet fiber material.

[0025] What has been shown is an improved vacuum tool for use withvirtually any vacuum cleaner through a flexible hose coupling. Theimproved vacuum tool is capable of manufacture using low cost massproduction methods such as blow molding or the like. The tool is readilyfabricated of relatively inexpensive plastic materials and islight-weight and durable. The inventive vacuum tool may be used withvirtually any vacuum cleaner and may be optimized for particular typesof carpeting. For example, it may be preferred in response to differentcarpet textures to increase the number of vacuum apertures (apertures 40seen in FIG. 5) or conversely, decrease the number of apertures.Similarly, the optimizing of the inventive vacuum tool may involveadjusting the diameters of vacuum apertures as well as their spacingupon the bottom plate. Thus it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that the present invention vacuum tool is low in cost ofmanufacture, light-weight and easy to use, capable of modification toimprove a particular cleaning or carpet vacuuming operation, andrelatively simple to handle and manipulate in either one handed or twohanded vacuuming operations.

[0026] While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changesand modifications may be made without departing from the invention inits broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is tocover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spiritand scope of the invention.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A vacuum cleaner tool comprising: a housinghaving an interior cavity, a handle, a vacuum hose coupler incommunication with said interior cavity and an open lower side having alower edge; and a bottom plate having a generally planar bottom surfaceand a plurality of apertures extending through said bottom plate, saidbottom plate being attached to said lower edge such that said interiorcavity is closed and said plurality of apertures are in communicationwith said interior cavity.
 2. The vacuum cleaner tool set forth in claim1 wherein said housing is formed of a pair of mirror image half portionsjoined along common edges.
 3. The vacuum cleaner tool set forth in claim2 wherein said handle is formed above an elongated aperture extendingthrough said housing.
 4. The vacuum cleaner tool set forth in claim 3wherein said housing defines a front surface positioned such that one ofthe user's hands may be placed thereon.
 5. The vacuum cleaner tool setforth in claim 4 wherein said housing defines a generally keystoneshaped cross section.
 6. The vacuum cleaner tool set forth in claim 5wherein said plurality of apertures are arranged in a generally uniformpattern.
 7. The vacuum cleaner tool set forth in claim 1 wherein saidhandle is formed above an elongated aperture extending through saidhousing.
 8. The vacuum cleaner tool set forth in claim 7 wherein saidhousing defines a front surface positioned such that one of the user'shands may be placed thereon.
 9. The vacuum cleaner tool set forth inclaim 8 wherein said housing defines a generally keystone shaped crosssection.
 10. The vacuum cleaner tool set forth in claim 1 wherein saidhousing defines a front surface positioned such that one of the user'shands may be placed thereon.
 11. The vacuum cleaner tool set forth inclaim 10 wherein said housing defines a generally keystone shaped crosssection.
 12. The vacuum cleaner tool set forth in claim 11 wherein saidplurality of apertures are arranged in a generally uniform pattern.